Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Obligations With A Challenge Issued.

In the past several weeks I've visited several websites posting articles about deleting links that are no longer in operation or not functioning properly. As writers of the world we have an obligation to our readers to properly maintain our websites which includes the links and ads we list on them. A lot of times we add links to our websites because we like the site and find their information valuable both to us and our readers. Sometimes it's just to gain more readers to our websites but for whatever reason we still have obligations. We often get so involved in posting articles and stories that we forget to check all our links periodically. We add links and add links and before you know it we have links on our websites we don't even have time to visit anymore. We end up visiting only a select few out of many that we have listed and the older links fall to the wayside of unused links on our websites. Our websites depict a reflection of who we are and we owe it to our readers to give them our best. I'd like to issue a challenge to all the writers to start by January 1, 2009 and starting with your first link in your list go through each link, leave a brief comment of your visit and if the link doesn't work properly or is pulled remove it from your list. This challenge should be completed by all writers by no later than January 31, 2009. Let's give our readers the respect they deserve and clean up our websites for a more enjoyable viewing and reading.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Could This Be A New Record Buck.

This photo was sent to me by my son-in-law with a caption " Maybe a new world record ". The buck was taken by Rodger Jarvis in Deckard, Tennessee during the last muzzle loader hunt and I just wanted to post it for all to see what a fine buck was taken from Tennessee as we don't have many bucks this size taken here. Congratulations to Rodger Jarvis on such an outstanding buck.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Up Close And Personal ( Concluded ).

The story behind this buck is that he's really not rubbing that tree at all. In all reality that buck is already dead. He was placed by the tree for photos before dressing it out and the photo posted was taken standing over the deer to show the antlers better. This buck was taken by my future son-in-law one morning using 12 gauge slugs and he really didn't even know he had hit the buck until he saw him fall some 60 yards after the shot was made. He didn't know how big the rack really was until retrieving the buck but he knew he was big. Turned out the buck had eleven points total with a eighteen inch spread between the widest point of the main beam. He was hunting a farm he had just acquired for hunting and only knew there was supposed to be some good deer on it. I've been hunting the farm next to it and have yet to see my first deer.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Up Close And Personal?


Have you ever just sit and watched a deer come in to your stand and wonder how close he'll get before scenting you. Now I usually don't use any kind of scent blockers, I smoke while on stand and I move around a bit, all of which I know are bad things to do but check out the buck in the photo above and tell me what is wrong with this picture. I'll give you more information on the picture in my next post just to set the record straight and fill you in on him.

Hunting A New Snowfall.



Monday morning December 1st, a new snow was on the ground. At first daylight I was in my stand trying to bare the elements of the wind and freezing cold. With a temperature of 17 degrees and winds blowing at 5 - 10 mph. it didn't take long for me to decide that I wasn't going to be in the woods long before I was ready to head for the house to warm up. I braved the weather for four hours before giving in to my bodies needs and climbing down from my stand. Slowly I made my way back into the field which was were the truck was parked and then found out that the wind was blowing even worst in the wide open. Luckily my hunting partners were already at the truck waiting on me to come out and came driving to my rescue from the cold.The bad news was the truck didn't have any heat but it did get us out of the cold wind and it wasn't long before we were back home with a hot fire going in the fireplace and trying to warm ourselves back up. Although none of us seen any deer this morning there was another hunter on the farm that took a nice wide six point buck just above my partners stand sites. Above you will find a couple of photos from this hunt.

Monday, December 1, 2008

The Sweet Success Of VICTORY.


Saturday morning, November 29, 2008, I got up this morning thinking of going hunting again so as usual I put on the coffee, checked the weather and my e-mails but then it hit me, I just wasn't feeling like going hunting due to having to work a twelve hour shift this night. Instead I set here at the computer writing on my blog about my Thanksgiving morning hunt. Long about 9:00 a.m. my wife told me we had to go to town to pay bills and pick up some vittles ( groceries to you city folk ). At 9:30 a.m. my dad called me up to tell me there were three deer in the lake bed grazing. Now we had two special antlerless quota hunts ( November 28 - December 2 and December 3 - 7 ) which were in conjunction with the regular buck only time frame. However if you were a landowner you could take a doe during this qouta hunt. Now even though I was about to go to town I quickly seized the oppurtunity to capitalize on this moment. I grabbed my rifle, drove to dads house and parked in front so as not to spook the deer, jumped out and moved into shooting position along side the back corner of the house. I raised the rifle as the deer looked on at me and took aim then squeezed the trigger and the doe staggered then bolted off into the thick cover of the grown up lake bed. Pausing just a moment to talk to my dad about the deer I then walked to the lake bed and began tracking blood. Across the field and into the thick growth and brairs, over and down the stream then further out across the grown up lake bed. When I finally found the doe she was at the far side of the lake bed next to the wood line. I worked my way back thru the brush to dads house, got my truck and drove to the other side of the lake bed, loaded my doe and took her to the checking station, got my permanant tag, placed it on the doe then drove home and hung her up in my back yard. After gutting the doe I left her hanging as the weather was cool enough to prevent spoilage. Tuesday I'll have to dress the doe and package the meat for the freezer as Wednesday I have to return to work. The sweet sucess of VICTORY was mine at last and hopefully I'll be able to take a second doe during the second antlerless hunt. Pictured above is my doe in the field.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

My Thanksgiving Morning Hunt.

Thanksgiving morning, 3:30 a.m.,I awoke wide awake and ready to go hunting. The first thing was to start a pot of coffee then check the Internets local weather report. Lets see cloudy, winds from the south southeast, barometric pressure falling at 29.86 and a temperature of 40.2 degrees. A perfect morning forecast to a beautiful day in the woods. 5:00 a.m. I'm dressed and heading out the back door for a half mile walk in the pitch dark woods without a flashlight to a stand site I've not hunted in two years. The walk was at a slow pace due to the crunching of the leaves even though a big part of the walk was on a four wheeler trail and an old logging road bed. I made it to my stand site just before dawn and get settled in for a long relaxing morning in the quite woods. Squirrels begin rustling the leaves and birds singing in the brush looking for their mornings breakfast. The woods lighten up and everything comes to life with the sounds of nature at it's best. I set watching a long hollow with three ridge lines joining at the bases and at 7:15 a.m. I began using my deer call ( Primos can call ). Within fifteen minutes I had three does coming across the ridge in my direction and then suddenly a big doe slipped up behind me and walked passed me heading toward the other three does. This single doe was close enough to me I could actually see the chin hairs as she passed me by. She walked about twenty yards passed me then stopped and looked back at me then quickly looked up the first hollow. I knew something was coming and just then a big bodied buck stepped out into view and was heading straight toward the single doe in front of me. I raised my rifle and waited for a clear shot. Just then the buck stopped in front of a large oak tree presenting a clear shot and the woods was filled with the sound of gun fire. The buck bowed up, jumped and ran up the second hollow out of sight. I continued using my deer call hoping to keep the buck in the area and just then caught a glimpse of something to my left traveling across the hollow. It was a second buck and even bigger then the first. The second buck was at 180 yards and traveling across in front of me and I tried to get a clear shot at it but just wasn't able to before it ran off into the next hollow with the rest of the deer herd. Then the trouble began, the next thing I heard was gunshots from the direction my buck had ran. This was bad, very bad, my buck had crossed over the property lines to the next farm and evidently another hunter was shooting at my buck. I looked for blood where I had shot the buck standing but only found hair on both sides . Hair was all over the side of the tree and my bullet hole was there in the tree in line with the placement of the bucks body but no blood. I looked for a blood trail but nothing was to be found. I searched all three hollows very carefully and still nothing anywhere. My only thought that came to mind was that I had somehow either shot through the buck at a non-vital point or that I had only grazed the bucks skin. In either case the buck was gone and I had nothing but a much needed relaxing morning in the woods. At Thanksgiving Dinner one of the family members told me of a big bodied buck in the back of a truck heading toward the checking station. Could this be my buck???? I'll never really know. I did recheck the rifle after getting home and it was shooting dead on at 150 yards.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

World Renowned Hunter Of All Times.

Years ago in a small town village, there were a group of hunters preparing for the first mornings hunt for deer. Now in this group of hunters were five men and two women, all of which were known well for their hunting abilities. These seven hunters were to meet the following morning at the edge of the north woods to decide where each would be positioned throughout the woods for safety precautions. Upon meeting and deciding locations the seven hunters each set off on their own separate ways to try to bring back to the village the best and largest amount of deer meat for the towns people they could. The first hunter to bring down his deer was the great hunter of the north, OTHMAR. OTHMAR brought down a nice 12 point buck with a weight of 242 lbs. using his 270 caliber rifle at a distance of 347 yards. Next came a report that REX had taken a 10 point buck weighting 185 lbs. with his bow at 52 yards and MARIAN came in with her buck,an amazing 14 pointer with a weight of 297 lbs. that she took with her crossbow at and astounding 91 yards. KRISTINE had taken herself a nice fat buck with her 243 caliber rifle also which was a 9 pointer weighting in at 215 lbs. taken at 247 yards. At 10:30 more reports came in that two more hunters had taken deer for the village and as the hunters came into the village their deer were weighted in and stories told as follows: MIKE took a nice 8 point double drop tine buck weighting in at 215 lbs which he took at 75 yards with his 260 caliber rifle and a young gun hunter known only as the NY HUNTER took a fine 11 pointer weighting 238 lbs. at 37 yards with his bow, As darkness began to fall upon the village the hunters began to worry about their hunting partner still out and so they started toward where the hunter was to be hunting and upon reaching said point found only a large pile of blood and nothing else. The said hunter had shoot his deer and was tracking it through the woods and was trying to bring it back when he realized it was to large and he would need help getting it back. the said hunter was the world renowned Christmas Place hunter, OLD SCRATCH. OLD SCRATCH, though was old was also very well experienced and knew the best location for the biggest and best bucks. OLD SCRATCH finally got his deer back to the village and weighted in as follows. OLD SCRATCH TOOK A 22 POINTER WEIGHTING 328 LBS WITH ONLY A KNIFE AND A STICK AT 2 YARDS. Though OLD SCRATCH had taken the biggest and best that year no other hunter has ever to this date taken anything better with so little which is why OLD SCRATCH IS THE WORLD RENOWNED HUNTER OF ALL TIMES.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Missed Long Shot.

Thursday October 30,2008, I had not gone hunting this particular morning but opted to instead stay at home with my wife and enjoy the morning with her. It was around 9:30 a.m. and we were getting ready to go into town to do some banking and pay bills when just as we where going out the door the phone rang. My dad called to tell me of three deer in the lake bed. I grabbed my bow as we went out the door and drove down to my parents house, as we passed by I could see the deer feeding along the left side of the field heading up toward the house. I turned the truck around and parked in front of the house so the deer couldn't see me and told my wife to go watch out the breakfast nook window. I got my bow and gear and went to the right side of the house and upon reaching the back corner then realized there was no more cover for me to get and closer. Checking the location of the deer, one was going back into the brush and the other two were still feeding toward the slope of the back yard. I knocked an arrow, drew back and realized the deer were about 80 yards from me and that I only had my bow sighted up to thirty yards. What I did next was a little outlandish but sometimes effective. I then began visualizing the sight pins that should have been set at forty-fifty-sixty-seventy and eighty yards then released the arrow. Though it was all just guess work the arrow flew just inches over the deers back and they ran off into the safety of the brush. I went to retrieve my arrow and the deer were standing in the brush, which as I approached my arrow spooked the deer running them further into the thick brush of cover. Lesson learned here was to next year set and practice with more yardage pins for those long shots.

2nd Day of Young Sportsman Hunt.

October 27, 2008, O'Ryan was joined by Kaleb and was taken out hunting by my soon to be son-in-law (Daniel) and a friend (Danny). They went to a farm Daniel was hunting and split up to different stand sites. As the sun rose the Young sportsman were still eager to shoot their first deer. Daylight fell across the open fields and the deer began moving around browsing on the grasses and berries around the edges of the tree lines. The young sportsman and the companions sat watching and waiting but with little results. O'Ryan had a buck come thru by his chosen stand but never presented a shot before disappearing back into the woods while Kaleb had a doe show up on a far off ridge line heading away from him and never giving an option of a shot before she disappeared back into the woods. Though both the young sportsman were disappointed they still enjoyed the weekend hunting trips and our great outdoors. There is another young sportsman hunt at the end of deer season in January which both young adults will be participating in I'm sure.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

1st Day of Young Sportsman Hunt.

The dawn was cool at 47 degrees and cloudy with a south/southeast wind. It had rained the day before and the leaves on the ground were wet, making travel through the brush alittle easier. As we traveled across the horse pin and down the fence line, I disclosed to O'Ryan the direction of travel I thought the deer should be coming from when approaching my blind. Upon reaching my blind I had O'Ryan get into the best possible shooting position as possible and be prepared for the deer to come in very quite due to the wet leaves. Just as the woods began to lighten up enough to begin seeing to the bottom of the hollow, A large bodied deer appeared from out of nowhere and was heading down the trail toward our shooting lanes. O'Ryan being anxious for his first deer was moving about and couldn't sit still. I on the other hand was waiting and trying to watch the deer and get O'Ryan to sit still long enough for the deer to reach the shooting lanes. The deer was now within 50 yards and had just stepped behind a big oak tree which blocked our view of it and O'Ryan just had to look for the deer. Back and forth he rocked, from one side of the tree to the other playing peek-a-boo with a deer. Now I'm still not sure what exactly when wrong but for whatever reason the deer sensed something, it winded us or it saw movement it didn't like and alerted it and the deer flew ever so quietly up the opposite hillside without a sound. I knew the deer wasn't spooked due to no sound as it left the area and was hoping it had only traveled a short distance up the hill with the possibility that it might return to the trail. O'Ryan on the other hand thought the deer had left the country and began moving around again. I assured him the deer could still be back for him to sit still and watch for it to return as I began using my deer call to try to lure it back. We sat there hunting for another 3 hours before moving to another stand site in which we only hunted for about an hour before O'Ryan was ready to give up on his first morning of hunting and go home for something to eat and hot coffee. On the way to the truck I explained to O'Ryan that deer hunting was not always about harvesting a deer everytime your out but was a learning experience and about making memories that will last a lifetime. I only hope that O'Ryan will learn to love the outdoors as much as I do, learn how to carry on our great heritage of hunting for a lifetime to come and learn everything I can teach him and more about hunting the great outdoors.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Young Sportsman Season Opens.

Here in Tennessee, the first young sportsman season will be opening on October 25, 2008 and I have things set up with my son-in-law to take two of his sons hunting for their first time to try to take a whitetail. My son-in-law thinks its so cool that his two oldest boys want to get into hunting but he doesn't know much about hunting whitetail and so has ask me to guide them though the whole hunting process and teach them the proper ways to hunt safely. Both the young sportsman seasons are only two day hunts with one at the beginning and one at the end of our Whitetail hunting seasons and a bag limit of two deer per hunt. With any luck I'm hoping that both boys will take a deer their first day out. Anyway I'll be posting more on this big event after the first season closes and I get the boys back home with their dad and I regain my composer from the trip. Best of luck to each and every young sportsman hunting this year---- hope you get a big one.

Mid-Day At Brushy Ridge.

Well as I stated in my last post I was thinking that the deer are moving during the mid-day hours and was going to try hunting Brushy Ridge. I made it to Brushy Ridge and began my long slow journey into the vast thick brush around 12:30- 1:00 p.m.. As I traveled through the woods, the leaves were crunching under my footsteps and rustling which made my travels even slower than I wanted. I looked for any signs that the deer were still in the area and found a scrape underneath a fair sized maple tree which had also been used to leave the bucks scent on the limb overhanging the scrape. The scrape seemed to be relatively fresh so I made a ground blind just beyond it in an area just off to the side of the trail. I sat there all evening long and saw two deer ( one doe, one buck ) but could only count part of the points on the buck due to the thick cover the deer were in. The deer never came out into an open and clear shooting lane for the fifteen minutes I watched them before they left my sight. As darkness began to fall upon me it was getting to dark to see my sight pins so I headed for the truck. Just my luck the deer were still in the area and were spooked as I moved out to go home for the evening. Though I spooked the deer, I don't think they were spooked to badly cause neither of them blowed as they left the area. Best I could tell the buck had 6-7 points on his right side and if he is a typical buck should have the same on the left. I figure this buck is worth my time to hunt all season if possible and will do my best to take the buck before the close of deer hunting season this year.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Moon and Brushy Ridge.

With the moon shining so brightly these past few nights the deer have most likely been moving during the mid-day hours so with that thought in mind I've decided to give it a try tomorrow at Brushy Ridge. I plan on starting around noon or so hunting from a ground blind on the top of Brushy Ridge then if nothing happens by about 5:00 p.m. I'll probably start heading back though the brush to a spot where turkey have been hanging out in hopes of find a flock of them to shoot at. I'm hoping to at least catch a glimps of a deer, any deer moving through the area or maybe a turkey or two, if not then I may give up on the hunting season till gun season gets here. We already have alot of poaching going on here with gun shoots going off all around the areas that I hunt. Even people at my work have commented about all the gun shoots they have been hearing while their out bowhunting. It's sad that people have to resort to these kind of ethics and most just want the antlers to brag about which is even worst but it happens. Hopefully there will be some mature bucks left by gun season to hunt but I'll just have to wait and see. Anyway I'll post about my hunt to Brushy Ridge within the next few days to let everyone know of the outcome.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Big Buck On The Brushy Ridge.

Tuesday morning I had gotten up at 4:00 a.m. and decided to go hunting over at a place I call Brushy Ridge. I had checked the weather forecast and it was to be sunny with winds out of the south/southeast at 5-10 miles per hour and the barometric pressure was rising with temperatures around 61 degrees. Sunrise was at 6:42 a.m. and I had arrived at the bottom of Brushy Ridge at 4:45 a.m.. I got my gear and headed out across a horse lot and into the woods taking my time so as not to spook any deer in the area. Slowly taking my time and working my way through the dark woods without a flashlight I had made my way to my stand by 6:30 a.m.. I had just gotten settled in when a huge buck appeared at 40 yards from me broadside but he stopped and began looking around as if he knew something was wrong. At first glance of the big buck I could see that he had dark chocolate horns and the right side was oddly formed and his face was almost completely gray with a large body. He stepped behind a tall stump which gave me the opportunity to draw my bow but as lady luck would have it the buck turned and began stepping away still not sure what was wrong with the area. The buck stopped again and I waited till he was standing there for a minute then released my arrow at the 40 yard pin. The buck flew out of the area running back the direction he had come in from and up across the ridge stopping only long enough to blow before leaving my sight. Still not sure if I had hit the buck, I remained in the stand and began hearing the squirrels barking just over the ridge where the buck had run of too. As the buck was by his self I was hoping there would be some does looking for him and come my way so I waited for about 2 1/2 hours before checking for my arrow. I searched the area where I had shot at the buck for my arrow and had to realign myself with the shot several times before finally finding the arrow in a pile of tree tops and leaves. The arrow was clean but I still looked around the area for any signs of a blood trail. As I looked back at my stand from where the buck stood I quickly realized that I had misjudged the distance and that he was really at 55 yards not the 40 I had thought he was at. I missed the shot completely but was happy to know the big buck was unharmed and still running in the area for a return visit next time. Wednesday morning brought heavy rainfalls which should remove alot of the leaves from the trees and bushes giving me a better view of the area but also giving the deer a better chance to see me better getting into bow range. Perhaps next time I'll judge my yardage better or end up buying one of those expensive range finders for bowhunters.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Trophy Buck Scouting

October 1, 2008, Today I wanted to go hunting after working 12 hours but decided I was to tired and the wife needed the truck for some shopping with our daughter. Plans changed quickly after reaching our daughters house and I ended up doing some scouting with my future son-in-law who had been telling me that he was finding big buck rubs in his neck of the woods. We headed out the door at 9:00 a.m. and upon getting into the area he told me had all rubs I couldn't believe my eyes there was big rubs everywhere and tracks and trials that looked like a herd of 50 or more deer where in the herd. The woods were under selective timber cutting by the owner and was all steep hills. I could tell the area hadn't been hunted for years and supported a large number of deer in the area. As we walked and climbed up and down the hillsides my hunting buddy told me he and my grandson had jumped two monster bucks just before bow season started with really wide and tall racks on them and that the best he could tell the smaller of the two bucks was either and 8 or a 10 pointer and wasn't sure about the other one but that it was even larger. After seeing the tracks, trials and the rubs for myself, I decided to put up some stands and see if I can help him take one of these trophy bucks. I 've never seen bucks in our hunting area here in Tennessee rubbing trees as these bucks are until late October or November so these bucks are for sure worth hunting. The brush on these hills are really thick but has some areas where the woods just kind of open up and will make for some great rifle hunting when time comes. I should be able to limit out on this farm with no problem and if I do I'll be sure to donate a couple of my deer to the " HUNTERS FOR THE HUNGRY " program as I challenge all hunters to do this year.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Second Day Hunting, Not So Perfect.

Sunday morning, September 28Th, I woke up at 3:30 a.m., started the coffee brewing and went online checking sites and waiting for the coffee. By 5:30 a.m. I was dressed and heading out the door to my parents place. The weather was calm winds,61 degrees and partly cloudy with the barometric pressure rising. A perfect start to what I had hoped would be a perfect adventure to the woods. By 8:00 a.m. the sun was just about to enter the field when a loud crashing noise from just behind me got my heart pumping. I grabbed my bow with high hopes only to have them shattered by a large 140-150 lb. doe charging out of the woods and into the field just below my stand then quickly back into the brushy woods across from me. The large doe was followed by a large Siberian husky which I quickly recognized as one belonging to a new neighbor who had moved into the area about 2 months before deer season opened. Though I haven't spoke to the new neighbor yet, now is the perfect time to ask him to please keep his dog tied during hunting season to prevent his untimely demise. Anyway with the morning hunt blown, I went inside for coffee,a sweet roll and some conversation then home for rest and relaxation till evening hunting time. As evening approached I decided to give hunting a break and stay home with the wife. Monday morning I hope will hold better adventures as I plan on returning to my parents place for yet another try at the big doe or maybe even a buck. Further updates to follow as time allows so stay tuned.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Opening Day , September 27th in Tennessee

Opening day finally made it here and I was up at 3:00 a.m. this morning checking over everything to make sure I had it all together and ready for the hunt. I started the morning off by hunting over a small half acre field ( yard actually ) at my parents place where they have been watching the deer play around their pond. After 4 hours of sitting in the stand and seeing nothing but birds and squirrels I decided to go in and visit with my folks and have a cup of coffee. Evening came around and at 2:00 p.m. I decided to hunt a stand in the woods hoping for better luck. There again birds and squirrels but still no deer. I found out that on Friday afternoon there was a buck and four does playing at the pond at my parents place so I'm hoping for their return Sunday morning as that is where I'll be trying again. The weather today was a little windy and cloudy most the day with a 40% chance of rain but the rain held off and Sunday is just supposed to be cloudy without rain. I really hoping the deer will move better Sunday morning and it's supposed to be a new moon Sunday night. Anyway I'll be hunting as much as possible this year as it could be my last year due to my parents health failing. I'm also going to try hunting feral hogs this year and if anyone knows how to salt cure hams please let me know. A black bear is also on my agenda but will have to wait till next year for that as I'm going to Maine to hunt with my father-in-law. I'll try to keep updates regularly on my hunting progress for everyone.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Deer Season's Upon Us.

Deer season here is just 2 weeks away and I 've just finished posting a 10 part version to Deer Season Preparation which I follow every year. Though everyone probably has their own way of preparing for the season, this I hope will get everyone fired up and in the mood to go hunting this year. I'm expecting to read alot of great stories from everyone about their adventures of hunting and of coarse there's always those of you with a good tale and a laugh for us as well. I deeply appreciated all my readers and look forward to visiting each and every one of you this year. Though I've had some rough times this year early on I feel I owe it to my readers to continue my blogging and give my support to everyone as they have supported me when I needed them most. Here's wishing the very best for everyone of you, a safe and prosperous year of hunting this year. Please think to try to take a family member, friend or new acquaintance hunting with you this year and show them how to continue our great heritage of hunting as it was handed down to us by our fore-fathers and to care for the lands as we have done ourselves in the past.

Deer Season Preparation ( Part 10 ).

Now that you've taken your deer what next? Well most hunters field dress the deer before dragging it to the truck but I prefer to field dress mine either at home or after getting to the truck so as not to leave any evidence of my kill in the field for other hunters or predators to find and move in on my hunting spot. After field dressing the animal then take it to the checking station and either back home to process or to your local meat processing plant. Most of the time I prefer to process the animal myself and thus save myself roughly $60.00 - $125.00 depending on the weight of the animal. Processing the animal yourself is relatively easy and usually takes about 30 - 45 minutes with a good sharp knife and a bone saw. Hang the animal from a sturdy tree limb or hanging pole and begin with the removal of the hide then the back strap ( Tenderloin ),then proceed to the head, neck, ribs, backbone and finally the hind quarters. Be sure when removing the hide that you keep your hands clean and don't touch the musk glands located on the inside of the hind legs then touch the meat as this will taint the meat with a wild gamey taste. Most hunters prefer to remove these after field dressing the animal then thoroughly washing their hands. These musk glands can also be used as scent attractants if kept in a baggy until the next time you hunt. During the processing of your animal a good wash tub full of cold water is very helpful in keeping the meat fresh and aids in the cleaning process as well. After processing your animal your now ready to begin putting it in freezer wrapped packages. Using your knife and bone saw again cut the meat into meal size portions and Wash the meat thoroughly, getting all the hair, blood and excess fat off the meat as possible. Wrap the meat in freezer wrap, label and pack in your freezer. The meat will now keep from 1 - 3 years and your now ready for your next hunt. During cold weather temperatures of 35 degrees or colder the animal can be left to hang for days to tenderize the meat but sometimes makes a harder job of processing. If you leave the animal hanging to tenderize be sure it is up off the ground high enough that dogs and other animals can't get to it.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Deer Season Preparation ( Part 9 ).

You've secured a place to hunt, done your scouting, hung your stands, checked your equipment and opening day has finally got here. You sit ever so quietly in the stand as the morning sunlight peeks over the horizon, breaking the dawn of a new day. With only one thing on your mind this beautiful morning, you begin to wonder if all your hard work will pay off then suddenly a doe appears from out of nowhere and is followed by a nice buck. The pair come ever so slowly down the trail through the woods directly under your stand. You hesitate until just the right shoot presents itself then all hell breaks loose and you quickly realize you've just shot you first deer of the season. After waiting 15 - 30 minutes you climb down from your stand and begin tracking your deer. A speck of blood here a puddle there then finally you spot the deer piled up in a brush pile not more then fifty yards from where you shoot it. Now you sit down relax and enjoy the moment, relive the thrill of the days hunt, realize all your hard work was worth it and then your ready to finish your days hunt and head for home with your prize or are you?. Many of us don't think anything about the fact that your supposed to tag the animal immediately after finding it. Tagging the animal is an essential way of saying this animal is mine, I shot it, I tracked it down and now I'm claiming it as my animal. This is the only way you can actually say the animal is truly yours when you get to the checking station and acquire the permanent kill tag identifying the animal as your kill. Be sure to fill the kill tag out correctly in the field when tagging your animal as this is usually what the checking station goes by to fill out the permanent kill tag and your next hunting tag for another animal. If the kill tag is incorrect the next animal you check in could get you in trouble proving it is your animal. It only takes a moment to check your tag to be sure it is correct and can be corrected quickly before you leave and remember to that the permanent tag is also supposed to accompany the carcass until processing is complete. Following all the game laws is part of an essential way of hunting and provides us all with a safe and successful hunt. These game laws are usually published in a brochure by the wildlife resource agency of your state and can be found in any hunting store or by contacting the wildlife resource agency in your state for a copy. It only takes a few moments to read over these laws and could save you alot of heartache or even your license or more. Please be sure to check the game laws in your hunting area and have a safe, enjoyable and prosperous year.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Deer Season Preparation ( Part 8 ).

This year as you did your scouting you may have came across a really good buck or you've found some old rubs from last year that have told you there was a really big buck in the area. Perhaps you've been dreaming of taking a trophy buck this year or you've been watching you're herd tring to locate a trophy buck. The real question is " What exactly constitutes a buck as a trophy? " . To many a trophy buck is one that ranges from the 150 - 190 class on the scoring system but in my book I believe that any deer could be a trophy. It really depends on the hunters preference and standards. Sure they have record books for trophy deer but just because your deer doesn't make the record books doesn't mean that it's not a trophy. Your first buck would definitely be a trophy and to me anything larger then what I've got on the wall would be a trophy. Perhaps you've been hunting a particular deer for the last couple of years now and you finally take him this year, that would be a trophy buck. It doesn't really matter the size of the deer all that matters is that you've taken a buck that you consider to be a trophy. Everybody has different thoughts when it comes to classifying a buck as a trophy but to me it's still up to the hunters standards. If I wanted a real classifying trophy I'd go on a guided hunt for a monster buck and be paying alot of money for it but myself I enjoy hunting the smaller ones in my own neck of the woods and keep hoping for one bigger then whats on my walls now. It keeps me happy, it saves me lots of money and you never know when that monster buck ( that could make the record books )will show up in your neck of the woods.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Deer Season Preparation ( Part 7 ).

You know this day and time it seems everybody is producing some kind of product for hunting whitetail deer. The problem is you have to be a millionaire to be able to afford all these products or be and older hunter who has been collecting these products as they came out. Now let's talk just a bit about deer decoys. It started out that someone came up with the idea of a Styrofoam deer to practice archery shooting at and from there went on to field decoys. The field decoys were then improved year after year until present day decoys that look so much like deer that even the most experienced hunters have trouble telling the difference. Deer decoys work really well when properly placed in the field or woods and deer are present. Their lightweight and easy to pack into any hunting area and set-up fast. Though I don't use the decoys for practice or in the field myself, I would have to say I believe them to be an added advantage to any hunters inventory and arsenal in being able to take deer. With proper care and storage for the decoy most of them will last for years which makes the cost of one a great value and would pay for itself over time.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Deer Season Preparation ( Part 6 ).

Today there is a vast array of different types of deer calls on the market with each one claiming to bring in that monster buck of a lifetime. The problem is none of these calls can really tell you for sure if your even going to see a deer when you go hunting even if you use their product. There are alot of various factors that have to come into play before you can even see as much as a doe much less a buck. Then the buck you see may only be a spike,a yearling,a small six pointer or a non mature 8 or 10 pointer that really should be left for another year or two before harvesting. At best regardless of the type of deer call you purchase and use in your hunting area, a deer call can only claim to help better your chances of seeing deer ( when used properly ) provided that all the factors come into play during the time your in the field or woods hunting. What type of call does one buy to hunt deer? Well that brings into play alot of questions you have to answer for yourself. Are you hunting bow gun or muzzle loader season? Is it pre- rut,rut or post- rut season? Are you hunting fields, valleys, hills or woods? Is it a heavy rain falling, snowing, sunny or windy? These are all questions you should take into consideration before you purchase any deer call and you might even want to ask a few of the more experienced hunters in your area for advice on buying a good deer call and the type they use and their success in using them. Just remember this thought though, " What works for one person may not work for another ". Even though you buy a good deer call it only works when you've put all the factors together and have become effective in using it as it is intended. To much calling and you run the risk of running the deer off,not enough calling and you may not get the deer to come in to you and then using the call improperly and making the wrong call could run the deer out of the area also. Practice makes perfect and you don't have to be in the woods or field to do this and you don't want to go out and buy a deer call today and go straight to the woods with it before practicing with it either. A great number of hunters out there don't even use deer calls and do quiet well every year, so please choose wisely and put a great deal of thought into the type (s) of deer call (s) you buy before you buy your first one.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Deer Season Preparation ( Part 5 ) .

Selective deer Management began in the early 1900's by the Game and Fish Commission in hopes of creating a larger, healthier population of deer. Today there is an estimated 28 million white-tailed deer across the North American continient. Selective Deer Management is best described by me as the selective taking of undesirable deer to create a healthy herd with large, massive bucks of older age groups being produced through the planting of nutritional crops in near future years. Selective Deer Management has played a key role in helping to create a healthy herd that can now be managed by the hunter as to the type of deer the hunter takes. Though not every hunter uses Selective Deer Management on his herd this could be due to a number of reasons--- 1. the hunters herd is not believed to be large enough for selective deer management, 2. the hunter is not educated about selective Deer Management, 3. the hunter does not care to use selective deer management on his herd or 4. the hunters property is only a crossing point for deer and does not hold deer so the hunter sees no need for selective deer management. Whatever the case may be we as future hunters, old hunters and those wanting to be hunters should all educate and stress the case to everyone that Selective Deer Management does work for everyone and is for the good of all the deer herds big or small and should be used at all times for a healthy herd for all to enjoy, even the nature lovers.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Deer Season Preparation (Part 4 ).

Most hunters, when it comes time to buy their hunting licenses never give it any thought but the truth is any license obtained is obtained as a privilege not a right. This privilege can be revoked or suspended at any time for almost any reason. We as hunters have to be very careful not to do anything to lose this privilege as it can be lost from 1 year to a lifetime, depending on the severity of the offense causing the loss and we are then labeled as a poacher. Today the Game and Fish Commission has split the licenses up into individual license for two reasons-- 1. to build more revenue for the Game and Fish Commission's budget and 2. not all hunters hunt with all types of equipment. The revenue from license sales makes up about 90% of the Game and Fish Commissions budget with the remaining 10% made up from government grants and donations. With so many different types of licenses offered by the Game and Fish Commission, hunters have to be careful when purchasing their licenses and make sure to get the exact license they need. There are alot of rules and regulations for all these different types of licenses so please be sure to check over the new regulation brochure each year for any changes made to the type licenses your using. If your going out-of-state hunting through a guide service be sure to check with your guide service to see if your licenses are part of your hunt package or you have to purchase your licenses separate as an added expense for your hunting trip.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Deer Season Preparation ( Part 3 ).

Farmers spend alot of money each year on crops, fencing, farm equipment and even leasing more property as well as their livestock. We as hunters have a professional obligation to these farmers to offer our field of expertise in the eradication of their pest which eats 1000's of lbs. of their crops each year not to mention the damage to the farm equipment ( flat tires on their tractors from shed antlers ) and fences. Many hunters today hunt property with just one thing in mind--- taking deer for their freezer or a trophy for their wall with little or no regards to the farmer. The farmers prepare the fields, sow the seeds, spray the weeds, fertilize the fields, reap the crops and the hunters just reap the rewards the farmers have brought into the property. When a hunter ask for and gets the permission to hunt a farm, it should be received with an understanding between both the farmer and the hunter that the hunter will help around the farm and share any game taken from the farm. Farmers put in alot of long, hard hours in the fields and all of them I know never have the time for hunting so it's always nice when a hunter shares his bounty with the farmer and it helps ensure a place to hunt the following year most of the time. When asking permission to hunt a farm remember to be polite, respectful and generous of your time and bounty and I'll bet you'll find not only a place to hunt but a good friend for life. Once I get permission to hunt a farm my work for the farmer starts with my first scouting trip. As you scout your new hunting farm you'll be checking fence lines for deer crossing. These fence lines usually will have places that need repairs, repair them as best you can until you can ask the farmer to leave you some fencing material and return to repair them properly. Who knows with your help around the farm maybe one day the farmer can go hunting with you.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Deer Season Preparations ( Part 2 ).

Perhaps the best time of year to begin scouting your hunting property is 2 weeks after the close of the last hunting season. Though you have your existing hunting areas where you know you can see deer, it's always a good bet to take alittle time to check the woods and fields for just one more place to try to take a real trophy. Maybe the hunting area your using is producing some nice deer but there's always some place that holds that trophy of a lifetime and even though that trophy may not be on property you have permission to hunt, there are ways to persuade that trophy to your property. There's alot of ways to scout your hunting properties but for me it's good ole fashion leg work. Getting out walking through the woods and fields looking for shed antlers, old rubs, old scrapes and big tracks and just being able to enjoy the great outdoors in itself is all worth the leg work whether I find a good trophy to hunt or not. Alot of people are using field cameras (game cameras ) to do their scouting which works really well and prevents human odors from spooking the game out of the area. Game cameras give you lots of photographs so you know exactly what your hunting and can even give you a time schedule as to when to hunt that particular area but for me this would take all the fun and excitement out of wondering what will come by my stand. For many hunters, they see deer or are told of deer someone else has seen and that's where they hunt, These people almost always have a long hard season trying to take just one deer and could do so much better just by doing alittle scouting for themselves. Scouting is a key asset to being successful year after year and finding that trophy of a lifetime that could just be in your neck of the woods.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Deer Season preparations ( part 1 ).

Deer hunting season is approaching us faster then we really expect and with it comes all the task of getting prepared. Even though many of us haven't given much thought to all the task involved for the up-coming season now is the time to prepare everything so that when it gets here your ready and able to go. First - let's start out with your stands, many of you may be using the older model stands that have the wooden platform or seat. These are usually made of plywood which begins to roit,shrink and become brittle shortly after the stand is put into use in the field. Check you stands and make sure the wood portion of your stand is still sound and sturdy. I for one as a rule of thumb prefer to replace the wooden portion of my stand every two years whether it needs it or not for safety reasons. Second - check all the bolts and screws and replace any old rusty ones with new ones ( these can lead to squeaks and noise), tighten all of them up. Third - check the cutter on your stands and climbing bar, these should be relatively sharp( but not sharp enough to cut your hand or fingers ),too sharp will do serious damage to the trees as well as making it difficult to climb with due to sticking into the bark as you try to climb and not releasing from the bark. These cutters should have smooth edges as well and any rough edges can be easily fixed with a fine file. Fourth - check any sound reducing foam pads and the cushions on the seats as these to will roit away with time and may be in need of replacement or maybe you just gained alittle extra weight and need more cushion for your back side. And last thing is the camouflage paint or tape, these I like to repaint every two years also using a good outdoor paint. To camouflage the paint job paint your stand with a solid color ( I prefer brown or yellow ) then after it dries lay tree branches ( with leaves ) or fern blades across your stand and spray over them with a green color paint for a leafy effect. Have a safe and prosperous year this year everyone.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Just an Update

It's been some time now since my last post so this is just a little update. I 've been busy trying to help my parents with their place,working on my place, work, done alittle fishing, planted some food plots and going to the doctors for my health. There's just not enough time in a day to do everything you want to get done. I've tried scheduling things but something or someone always comes up needing me to help them or do something for them. Just the other day I got up at daylight went fishing a couple hours came in ready to work on my lawnmower and the wife tells me we have a water leak in the house, which come to find out was my water heater, which took me half a day to change out by the time I went to town and bought one, removed the old one, then put the new one in. Maybe I should move to Alaska where the days are long and the nights are cold. Anyway time stands still for no one and live goes on. If I'd have known getting old meant doing less with more to do I would have done more when I was younger. Went to my heart doctor June 25 and had to do this big stress test then was scheduled to go to my family doctor yesterday for follow-up and now he is scheduling me to go to a surgical doctor for some kind of endoscopy (??? ) and possibly surgery. Right now I just want things to get back to a normal routine and enjoy live again. It's been hard for me not being able to read everyone's post and leave them comments but somehow I'm going to get back to my writing as I've so enjoyed all my blogging experience with everyone. I will be visiting everyone's sites soon so look for me there.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Justice Prevails

Here is an article that I found on one of my linksites that caught my eye and I thought everyone should read. Two Adults Charged, Two Juveniles Charged With Wild Turkey Shooting Spree “Reminiscent” Of Market Hunting Days


In what is one of most the flagrant poaching violations in recent memory, two Middle Tennessee adults have been cited with numerous illegal hunting charges after allegedly killing at least a dozen wild turkeys, while in the company of two juvenile hunters, during a weekend hunt open only to sportsmen under 16.

"This is perhaps the most blatant violation of the turkey game laws in recent history,” noted Jeff Skelton, an assistant law enforcement supervisor for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. “This is reminiscent of market hunting that took place in the late 1800s and early 1900s when hunters nearly drove the wild turkey into extinction.”

Charged is Billy Joe Davidson of Lewisburg and Leonard Williams of Culleoka, who apparently took advantage of Tennessee’s annual Young Sportsman hunt and carried two young hunters—one 9 and one 14—on a shooting spree down the Duck River in Maury County, March 22-23.

"We think the poachers killed at least nine turkeys just on Sunday as they motored up and down the Duck River in a 16-foot flat bottom boat, shooting some turkeys off tree limbs that had roosted for the night and using a spotlight to locate others,” explained Skelton. “Adults are required to hunt with youngsters during this weekend, but not allowed to do any shooting. Even if they were allowed to shoot, the bag limit is one bird for the entire weekend.”

All four of the hunters have been charged with violations.

"The example set by the two adults is a shame by any standards, but we also believe the young hunters have responsibilities for their actions.” said Skelton. “We issued a search warrant for Davidson’s Lewisburg home after receiving a report from a concerned citizen. The search turned up 12 fresh turkey beards and 13 turkey breasts and other turkey meat.”

Charges are numerous, with Davidson being cited with hunting from a watercraft under power, spotlighting game, 10 counts of hunting, killing, possessing, and transporting turkeys in closed season; hunting after legal shooting hours, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of minors.

Williams will be charged with hunting from a watercraft under power, spotlighting game, nine counts of hunting, killing, possessing and transporting turkeys in close seasons. He will also be charged with hunting after legal shooting hours, and contributing to the delinquency of minors.

The 14 year old is charged with hunting from a watercraft under power, spotlighting game, six counts of exceeding his bag limit, and one count of violating the state’s tagging law; shooting after legal shooting hours, and hunting without a wildlife management area permit.

The 9 year old is charged with hunting from a watercraft under power, spotlighting game, violation of the state’s tagging law, hunting without a wildlife management area permit, shooting after legal shooting hours, and two counts of exceeding the daily bag limit.

"We appreciate the tip that led to these arrests,” said Skelton. “The TWRA and the National Wild Turkey Federation have offered rewards to citizens that report and convict turkey poachers.”

In addition to the charges, wildlife officers seized three shotguns, a spotlight, and the flat bottom boat and a 25 horsepower motor. They also seized all of the turkey meat and various turkey parts.

The two adults are scheduled to appear in County General Sessions Court in Mt. Pleasant May 14th. The juveniles are scheduled to appear May 28th in Juvenile Court in Columbia.

Helping make the arrests were Skelton, Maury County Wildlife Officers Pam McDonald and Mark Ventura, Marshall County Wildlife Officer Doug Lowery, Giles County Wildlife Officer David Robertson, and Williamson County Wildlife Officer Joe Fortner.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Planting time

I've planted some mustard seed here at the house and have to go to dads now and plant some mustard and clover as soon as the weather permits and the ground dries up enough. Dad told me he saw 6 deer the other day in the dry lake bed and he wants to get it planted asap. I'll still plant a second crop for the deer probably in July but haven't figured out yet what I want to plant and I have to clear a shooting lane with the mower across the lake bed. I've found a great looking management area that I may try to hunt this year but it's archery only for adult hunting and it's alittle far to drive to, about 3 hours away but not many people hunting it due mainly to the steep hills and rough terrain. Anyway I'll keep looking for that perfect place and get things ready fdor this years hunt here at home.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Bring Gas Prices Down

This was sent to me by e-mail so see if it makes sense to you.
THIS IS NOT THE 'DON'T BUY' GAS FOR ONE DAY, BUT IT WILL SHOW YOU HOW WE CAN GET GAS BACK DOWN TO $1.30 PER GALLON.

This was sent by a retired Coca Cola executive. It came from one of his engineer buddies who retired from Halliburton. If you are tired of the gas prices going up AND they will continue to rise this summer, take time to read this please.

Phillip Hollsworth offered this good idea.
This makes MUCH MORE SENSE than the "don't buy gas on a certain day" campaign that was going around last April or May!
It's worth your consideration. Join the resistance!!!!
I hear we are going to hit close to $ 4.00 a gallon by next summer, and it might go higher!! Want gasoline prices to come down?

We need to take some intelligent, united action. The oil companies just laughed at that because they knew we wouldn't continue to "hurt" ourselves by refusing to buy gas.

It was more of an inconvenience to us than it was a problem for them.
BUT, whoever thought of this idea has come up with a plan that can really work. Please read on and join with us!

By now you're probably thinking gasoline priced at about $2.00 is super cheap. Me too! It is currently $3.19 for regular unleaded in my town.

Now that the oil companies and the OPEC nations have conditioned us to think that the cost of a gallon of gas is CHEAP at $1.50 - $1.75, we need to take aggressive action to teach them that BUYERS control the marketplace..not sellers.

With the price of gasoline going up more each day, we consumers need to take action.

The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down is if we hit someone in the pocketbook by not purchasing their gas! And, we can do that WITHOUT hurting ourselves.

How? Since we all rely on our cars, we can't just stop buying gas.

But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all act together to force a price war.

Here's the idea: For the rest of this year, DON'T purchase ANY gasoline from the two biggest companies (which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL.

If they are not selling any gas, they will be inclined to reduce their prices.
If they reduce their prices, the other companies will have to follow suit.

But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Exxon and Mobil gas buyers. It's really simple to do! Now, don't wimp out on me at this point...keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is to reach millions of people!!

I am sending this note to 30 people. If each of us send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300) ... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x10 = 3,000)...and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth group of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers.
If those three million get excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have been contacted!

If it goes one level further, you guessed it..... THREE HUNDRED MILLION PEOPLE!!!

Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people. That's all!

(If you don't understand how we can reach 300 million and all you have to do is send this to 10 people.... Well, let's face it, you just aren't a mathematician. But I am . so trust me on this one.

How long would all that take? If each of us sends this e-mail out to ten more people within one day of receipt, all 300 MILLION people could conceivably be contacted within the next 8 days !!!

I'll bet you didn't think you and I had that much potential, did you!
Acting together we can make a difference.

If this makes sense to you, please pass this message on. I suggest that we not buy from EXXON/MOBIL UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES TO THE $2.00 RANGE AND KEEP THEM DOWN. THIS CAN REALLY WORK.

Keep it going!!!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

" Hunters for the Hungry " program of Tennessee

"Hunters for the Hungry" is a program set up not just for hunters but for anyone interested in helping the needy families of Tennessee. This program allows hunters to donate either part or all of a deer killed to food banks, soup kitchens, missions and needy families after being processed by a meat processing company registered with the Tennessee Wildlife Federation. Funds are raised by volunteers hosting or sponsoring fundraising events for the program through the Tennessee Wildlife Federation and individuals, foundations, sportspeople, civic clubs and church groups donate money for processing of the deer. Funds are limited for this program so hunters are requested to call and check with the processing company before delivery of their deer for availability of funds. Hunters donating deer to the program may be required to pay a discounted fee of $40.00 to help cover processing if funds are not available through the program at time of processing. All deer processed will be held for pick-up by a local food bank and distributed to needy families of Tennessee. Last year the program took in nearly 25 tons of venison ( 50,425 lbs) and since the rebirth of the program in 1998 hunters have donated some 360,000 lbs of venison feeding nearly 1 million meals to hungry families throughout Tennessee. Statistics show that nearly 11% of children and 19% of elderly go to bed every night hungry. If every hunter was to donate just 1 lb of venison, the program would have 200,000 lbs of meat to feed the hungry. All donors will receive a 1 year complimentary membership to the Tennessee Wildlife Federation magazine as well as having a great feeling in their heart of knowing you've done your part in helping a family in need. Cash donations are also accepted by the Tennessee Wildlife Federation and checks should be marked " Hunters for the Hungry " as well as any certain meat processing company name on the memo line of your check(s). Checks should be made out to Tennessee Wildlife Federation and are therefore considered " tax deductible" by the Internal Revenue Service as this is a 501c (3) organization. Checks can be sent to: Tennessee Wildlife Federation 300 Orlando Avenue, Suite 200 Nashville, Tennessee 37209 Any meat processing company wishing to register for participation in this or any other Federal program can contact the Tennessee Wildlife Federation coordinator at ( 615 )- 353-1133.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Elk Restoration in Tennessee

On March 8, 2008 the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency will be moving 36 Elk from Land Between the Lakes ( LBL )in Kentucky to the Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area in Campbell County, Tennessee. The Royal Blue is part of Tennessee's 670,000 acre Elk Restoration zone which was started in 2000. Over a four year period 167 Elk have been released to the restoration zone and the release of these 36 Elk brings the Elk herd standings to approximately 200-250 animals. 31 of these Elk being released are fitted with radio collars for future research on the herd. This release will be a joint effort between Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, LBL Bugle Corp., LBL Association, U.S. Forestry Service, Campbell Outdoor Recreation Association ( CORA ), the UT Veterinary School, USDA, Animal Planet Health Inspection School ( APHIS ), and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency staff and volunteers. The public is invited to attend the release of these Elk Saturday March 8, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time ) at Massengale Mountain in Campbell County, Tennessee.

Friday, February 29, 2008

Condo Deerstand

A friend of mine that i've hunted with for years now sent this to me via email and told me he had been working on a new deer stand since mid-june. Now what he told me was that he had found a place with so many deer signs that he didn't quite know where to put his stand so he thought up this convienent stand just to be on the safe side and be able to cover every possible route. What I couldn't figure out was why it took him so long to put up his stand until I recieved his email then everything became very clear to me. As you can see from the photo below he has all the comforts of home and then some. What else could you ask for in a deer stand other then to open the door and invite them to come in a watch tv with you. I think this may be something he found on the internet though and not his actuall stand. You tell me would you hunt from this thing? Is this even legal? I really don't know about this.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Squirrel Season closes


I've been off work for the last 2 days now and was hoping to be able to go squirrel hunting one last time before the season closes. February 29th is the closing day of the squirrel season in Tennessee and also the last day before hunting license expire. I got up this morning to a winter wonderland of new snowfall ( about 3 inches) on the ground so I've decided to enter a new post and leave a few comments today . I been feeling alittle sick lately so I didn't want to get out in the weather and make things worst. All the seasons close the 29th(Friday) but that's okay cause that just means that our new hunting seasons are just getting started and I for one am looking forward to this years hunting seasons. I like to wish everyone a great year this year in all their hunting adventures and hope they have a prosperous one for whatever they are hunting. Rabbit stew might be a good fare for the table tonight with the new snow they should be everywhere and hold up in brush piles. Maybe I'll give them a shot at the dinner table.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Turkey Season's Coming Quick


Turkey seasons coming so get your guns out and dust them off,grab your turkey calls and practice your calling,get your maps out and pick the perfect place and don't forget to ask for time off from work or from the spouse unless their goning too. These old birds are some hard critters to take but if your lucky enough to get a shot you must be doing something right.Most people get just lucky enough to get one into view then something happens and the whole flock is gone in a flash without even so much as given you a second look. These birds are sly and cunning animals and have the know how to survive. They have out-witted some of the best hunters in the world, but if you pull out all the tricks in your turkey knowledge bag( your brain ) then you might just get the trophy you've wanted on your wall. One of the best tricks I seen yet is a decoy used by Knight & Hale on television to take even the most cunning of wild turkeys. It's a decoy call " pretty boy " and man does it ever work well, especially if your in a ground blind where they can't see any movement. The decoy can be purchased with or without the " pretty girl " submissive hen but believe me if you want that old tom to come in running to you get yourself the pretty boy and the pretty girl set and keep your gun or bow ready. Have a great time in the woods this spring and please everyone be very carefull and safe out there this season. You can find the pretty boy decoys at http://www.carrylitedecoys.com/catalog.aspx and sells for around $129.00 for the set.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

New Website Up and Running.

Just a note to let everyone know my third website is up and running and anybody wanting to add it to your website is welcome to. I will be adding everyones link to the site under some link topic before long.Here is the website url for anyone interested in checking it out, just remember it's not completely finished yet. http://fishingafield.blogspot.com/

Shed Antlers.

Okay folks, the deer hunting season is closed now so lets get down to nexts years deer season. The best way to locate that big buck you just never could see but always knew was there is to get out and hunt for his shed antlers.First let me give you some tips and pointers for hunting sheds. 1. Sheds are tough to spot in harsh sunlight so use the cloudy days to hunt sheds. 2. Rainy days are great for hunting sheds cause wet antlers shine. 3. Search for sheds as soon as the snows melt but before the weeds and spring grasses grow up to hide the sheds. 4. Check thinly wooded areas where cattle and other herd animals graze the grass low for easy shed locating. 5. Begin looking for sheds across open fields around the edges of the fields and then begin following the deer trials back into the woods and even into the bedding areas where the bigger bucks stay during the hunting season. 6. Last and most important thing to shed hunting is to wear soft soled boots which makes it easier to feel a heavy shed if you step on one you don't see. When you find a shed antler take note of the location and look around for rubs and scrapes. Finding a shed with lots of rubs and scrapes is an ideal place to set up a stand for next years hunt and the woods are still bear which will make it easier to pick out just the right stand site. Now that your loaded with a few tips to finding shed antlers get out, get started, and enjoy the woods we love to play in.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Bored and MY Hunting Books

Well I got alittle bored this evening watching tv so I dug out some of my old hunting book issues and started revamping my thoughts for some new writing material.Give me a day or two and I should be able to come up with something to write about that everyone will like( I hope ).Until then I'll just continue to comment on everyone elses writings. I'm thinking of adding a new site on Fishing which will cover tips, tricks, baits,experiences I had and probably lots of links and ads. Until then everyone keep writing and I'll let everyone know if and when it's up and running.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Bud and the Weekend

Another weekend come and gone and I was actually off work this weekend. Though I didn't get alot accomplished I did enjoy sitting around home watching tv with the wife just relaxing after a very tense week at work which I almost quit. My dog ( bud )I fear is about to die on us which will be devastating especially to my wife who has been very attached to him since we got him in 1994 as a pup. He has lost weight for the past 4 weeks now, won't eat anything except can food then throws it up as soon as he gets done eatting and has become nothing but skin and bones and can hardly get up to eat. I haven't been able to find him today so tommorrow morning I'll have to get out and look everywhere for him and probably dig his gravesite in preparations for his death. Anyway I was able to add a few of my lost links back and add some new ones that I didn't have before to both my sites. I also done some changes to my ads and will be working more on the sites as time permmits me too. For now my writings are struggling for a topic and infor to write on due to my writing time frame but as it has been in the past that to will pick back up and everything will return to normal. For now my concentration will be on my wife and our dog.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Deers Not The Only Meat----

Well folks the deer season has come and gone with the moment of anticipation passing like a dove flying across the field. Of coarse as with a raccoon in the corn field there's still many more seasons that are open and some that are open year round( at least in Tennessee). Hog hunting is open year round here and many hunters take advantage of this hunting experience to sharpen their skills for deer season and to put a little extra in their freezers. Though I've never hunted the wild hogs, I have given it some thought and my decide to give it a try one day in the near future. Squirrel season and quail season is still open so time allowed I plan on going before the season is over in February. Season after season deer change and give it two weeks after the close of the season is about right for locating the next years buck of a lifetime. I 'm talking about "Shed Hunting", one of the best ways for locating that big buck without disturbing any ones hunting area while their hunting. Shed hunting can be very rewarding even if your not finding any antlers cause your still getting the enjoyment of the outdoors,nature,and the wildlife of Gods great earth undisturbed. I myself don't get out and hunt the shed antlers but I do enjoy after season scouting for old rubs, scrapes and bedding areas which the deer use from one year to the next. Usually around the last of July the deer begin to change over to their winter feeding grounds where they will stay until about the end of January or the first of February. So if your out finding sheds,rubs and bedding areas two weeks after the season closes your in the deers winter grounds. You may not see any deer but come next season you'll know exactly where to set up your stand with little or no difficulty. Get out in the woods and take advantage of the seasons that are still open in your state and find a new place to hunt your trophy buck while you can. Remember deers not the only meat for your freezer,it's just the other red meat we all love.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Returning to my post update

Where do I begin? This could be a very long post which would take you days to read but I think I'll give you the short version of the last three months. To start with I'd like to say it's great to be back posting again as this will relief some of my stress and allow me to talk to my Friends again, so thanks everyone for your comments on my sites. Okay since I left my post in October I've given up my construction business due mainly to the economy and lack of work in my area.I've taken on a factory job again which is against all my wishes (which came with a big cut in my pay scale), so I now make pill bottles for Tri-State Distributors in Sparta, Tn.. A word of good happenings is that my middle daughter,her husband and three grandchildren have moved out once again ( hopefully for good this time). my computer was in the shop and when I got it back most all my files, documents, programs and even my e-mail information was erased and deleted. Now on to the most important aspect which I'm sure by now everyone is wondering about. At last I posted hunting season had just opened and I was having trouble with my dog following me or tracking me into the woods every time I went hunting. Well your advice was taken and my dog was put in the house until I returned which worked really good for me.I managed to hunt the reminder of the season without and problems other then not seeing any bucks at all however we did have a either sex hunt in which I hunted off my parents back balcony deck and was able to call in a young ( fine eating) 60 pound doe at 125 yards. I came close to packing my bags and heading to Deer Camp to hunt "Ol Thunderhoof" for editor but I knew editor wouldn't like it to well if I took his ol friend back to Tn. so I stayed put for at least one more season. Now I can begin looking forward to the 2008 season and finding a new place to hunt which I hope will have a few good bucks on it to hunt. My new job has me working 12 hour shifts now so my writing may suffer some but I'll post as often as possible as I want to get back into the full swing of things again now and visit everyones sites and add as many links on my site as possible. Anyone with new links please let me know and I'll be glad to add them to both my sites. Once again THANKS everyone for the welcomed return.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

I'm back

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement not to give up hunting or posting. The words were very heart felt and was what brought me back so be prepared for some new writing and updates while I was gone for the past 3 months. Again THANKS to each and everyone of my readers and look for my writings to begin very soon.